NIJ Armor Levels

NO ARMOR IS BULLET PROOF! Different armor models are meant to protect against specific types of ammunition. No body armor will stop every threat. Units should select armor designed to protect against the threats most likely to be faced by their team. At a minimum, armor should be selected that will protect against handguns threats.

Soft ArmorSoft body armor consists of flexible panels of ballistic material. Soft armor is designed to offer protection against assaults with handguns. It is intended to be used for extended daily wear. It is the type of body armor that officerswould typically wear while executing their daily duties. It can be worn under a uniform or other clothing in an external carrier. If it is worn under a uniform, it is called concealable armor.

Soft armor panels are constructed of multiple layers of ballistic-resistant materials. The number and order of layers influence overall performance. Additional energy is absorbed by each successive layer of material. When a handgun bullet strikes the panel, it is caught in a web of strong fibers. These fibers absorb and disperse the impact energy, causing the round to deform or “mushroom.“ While soft armor is most often seen in the form of panels for carriers or concealment vests, it can be cut to practically any shape, for multiple uses, keeping the layers and sew pattern the same to maintain protection integrity.

Hard ArmorHard armor consists of rigid panels, or plates, of ballistic-resistant material and isdesigned to offer greater protection against higher threats than soft armor. Hard armor plates are used in tactical armor. Tactical armor is not typically worn for extended periods. It is donned for wear by First Responders entering high-risk situations.

Hard armor plates may be constructed from ceramic, compressed laminate sheets,metallic plates, or composites that incorporate more than one material. Basically, hard armor plates work in one of two ways: they can capture and deform the ammunition round or they can break it up. In both instances, the armor then absorbs and distributes the force of the impact.

What is it and why does NIJ Certification matter?

The National Institute of Justice is the government agency responsible for establishing certification and protection standards for body armor. The armor sold by T-MED Services, INC. undergoes routine testing at an NIJ approved laboratory, allowing us to guarantee its protection against specific threats.

Special considerations5.56mm ammunition comes in a variety of constructions. The rounds with lead cores typically used for hunting and target shooting can be stopped with Level III hard armor plates.

5.56mm ammunition (M855), designed for military use with a steel or partial steel core, needs a ceramic or metallic component to the hard armor plate and may be stopped by Level IV plates or those with an NJI III+ or Special Threat Designation.

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